Patiala: Sikh Group Protests at Punjab Assembly, Demands Removal of Rajiv Gandhi's Name from Law University
Patiala: Tensions escalated on Monday as members of the socio-political organization Misal Satluj, led by its youth wing president Yadvinder Singh "Yadu Alal," staged a protest demonstration outside the Punjab legislative assembly in Chandigarh. The group demanded the immediate removal of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's name from the Patiala-based Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL).
Frustration Over Government Inaction
Yadu Alal expressed deep frustration over the Punjab government's perceived inaction on the matter. He revealed that the university's academic council had already forwarded a proposal to the state government to rename the institution, but the issue remained unaddressed during the recently concluded 10-day session of the Punjab assembly.
"The entire session was wasted in a political blame game instead of addressing a matter of historical justice," said Yadu Alal, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Historical Grievances and Community Insult
Misal Satluj argued that naming a premier law university after Rajiv Gandhi was an "insult" to the Sikh community. Yadu Alal cited Rajiv Gandhi's 1984 statement — "When a big tree falls, the earth shakes" — to support their argument. This statement is widely viewed by many as a justification for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, adding emotional weight to the protest.
Harjit Singh Khizrabad, another prominent leader of Misal Satluj, stated that linking a law school to such controversy mocked the very essence of the justice system it taught. He emphasized the irony of a legal institution bearing the name of a figure associated with historical grievances against the Sikh community.
Renaming Proposal and Official Process
Notably, in December last year, the RGNUL academic council officially approved a proposal to rename the institution as "National Law University, Punjab." The administration stated that the move aimed to align with the nomenclature of other elite National Law Universities across India, suggesting a standardization effort.
Misal Satluj and various Sikh student unions have long campaigned for this name change. However, for the change to become official, the Punjab government must pass an amendment to the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab Act, 2006. This legislative step has yet to be taken, fueling the group's protests.
Political Resistance and Accusations
The move has faced significant resistance from Congress leaders. Patiala MP Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi dismissed the proposal as a "low-level political maneuver" designed to polarize voters ahead of the upcoming elections. Last month, he argued that the university was founded with a vision of scientific temper and national progress that should not be erased.
Dr. Gandhi claimed that the government and university authorities were using the issue to distract people from pressing concerns such as unemployment, environmental degradation, and the university's pending NAAC accreditation. He also alleged a "collusion" between the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP to systematically erase the Congress party's historical contributions, adding a layer of political intrigue to the debate.
Vow to Continue Struggle
Despite the opposition, Misal Satluj has vowed to continue its struggle until Rajiv Gandhi's name is removed from all public institutions. The group's determination underscores the deep-seated historical and emotional dimensions of this issue, which continues to resonate within the Sikh community and beyond.
The protest highlights ongoing tensions between historical memory, political symbolism, and community identity in Punjab, with the fate of RGNUL's name remaining a contentious point in state politics.
